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The Real Jane Austen

A Life in Small Things

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The Real Jane Austen

By: Paula Byrne
Narrated by: Louise Hulland
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THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

‘It is good to meet the real Jane Austen at last’ Independent on Sunday

'Brilliantly illuminating … by focusing, chapter by chapter, on one thread or another of Austen’s experience, Byrne allows us to grasp the richness of her inner life’ Guardian

Who was the real Jane Austen? A retiring spinster content with quiet village life? Or a strong-minded woman who chose to remain unmarried and to fashion herself as a professional writer?

Bestselling biographer Paula Byrne uses objects that conjure up a key moment in Austen’s life and work – a vellum notebook, a topaz cross, a writing box and a bathing machine – to reveal the true self of this most beloved author.

'Sparklingly multi-faceted, catching the light in intriguing ways … Byrne’s Jane is far less likely to go for a quiet walk in the garden than she is to be whisked into town in search of a velvet cushion' Mail on Sunday

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Critic reviews

‘Brilliantly illuminating … Its great merit is … by focusing on one thread or another of Austen's experience, Byrne allow us to grasp the richness of Austen's inner life’ Guardian
‘Perceptive and energetic’ Sunday Telegraph
‘Byrne's essays add up to a fine appraisal of the novelist's environment, truly Austenish in the way they burrow into a sequestered and often secretive private world’ Observer
‘A neat approach to biography, allowing Byrne to burrow deep beneath the surface of Austen’s existence. The result is a delightful and engrossing portrait’ Sunday Times
‘A perceptive and energetic guide to Austen and her surroundings … Byrne’s critical study consists of a series of beautifully written, interrelated essays … [her] style gives fresh charms to her subject matter. ‘The Real Jane Austen’ is bold, fast-moving and accessible’ Daily Telegraph
‘Engaging, compelling, a delightful and engrossing book. Of course we all know that the "real" Jane Austen will forever be a mystery, but most 21st century Janeites will adore this one. Byrne's passion is nothing if not persuasive’ Sunday Times
‘What is fresh in Byrne's biographical approach is her use of a succession of contemporary objects that Austen owned, or that might be seen in intimate connection with her interests … this adds an attractive immediacy to a well-known story … Byrne's affectionate study paints a pleasingly lively picture of Austen's life’ Independent
‘Brilliantly illuminating … riveting. By focusing, chapter by chapter, on one thread or another of Austen's experience, Byrne allows us to grasp the richness of her inner life’ Simon Callow, Guardian
‘The portrait of Austen that emerges is sparklingly multi-faceted, catching the light in intriguing ways … her Jane is far less likely to go for a quiet walk in the garden than she is to be whisked into town in search of a velvet cushion, a necklace or a smart new dress’ Irish Mail on Sunday
All stars
Most relevant
This book promises a grander, more expansive look at Austen's life and the influences she took from all over the world. However, it cannot resist the drawing room, and quaint descriptions of familial life so common to recounts of Jane Austen. It is subtitled "A Life in Small Things" and that's exactly what this book is - a small thing, that fails to properly expand outwards into the broader cultural, social and historical context of Austen's world. It strikes me as too cleverly written - each word too carefully chosen, each claim too carefully explained, and in this it falls short of its aim.

Generally Dull

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* I only stuck it out to chapter 5:
Contains many facts about JA that I was interested to know, and makes connections between the novels, the experiences of her extended family and plots of contemporary works by other novelists. However the incessantly buoyant young person reading the book is impossible to put up with eventually. I tried three sessions before quitting a d buying a second hand paper copy

Interesting information poorly read

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I found the narrator's style and voice totally inappropriate for the subject manner. I actually had to stop listening and give up on the book, which otherwise, seemed quite interesting.

Extremely disappointing

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A good book spoiled by a poor reading - too fast, too loud and badly stressed sentences.

A poor reading!

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Having heard some of this book narrated on BBC Radio 4 I was stupid enough to assume that this was the same reading. The narrator in this audible.co.uk version rendered the book quite impossible to listen to. I love the book, so I have given it many chances, but no, I just can't bear what sounds like the immature voice of a bright enthusiastic 5th former. I have wasted my credits.

A good book ruined by the narrator

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